"Good Show Connersville"
Wow! What a time we had in Connersville, Indiana this week. Opening the NASDAQ a few weeks ago was particularly inspiring from a business perspective, but the good people of Fayette County and Connersville, Indiana were able to touch members of Carbon Motors on an emotional level – I personally experienced the American spirit in FULL force.
Over 7,300 citizens and Indiana State and local officials rallied together to organize and attend a welcome reception on the 2009 Pure Justice Tour like no other. People waited in line for hours just to get to meet the team, express their desire to be Carbon’s new home, and to wish us luck on on our upcoming decision. Prayer vigils were held at churches. Hand drawn pictures of E7 police cars, letters of persuasion and even a red carpet (read: red construction paper) signed by teachers and students alike donned the walls and floor of Maplewood Elementary School [Thank you Mrs. McCann and Principal Corsaro]. Signs were posted in every yard, countless Carbon Motors T-shirts were seen walking around, and even the soup at a reception dinner was monogrammed “CM” in honor of the occasion.
The people in Connersville know how to make you feel like you are one of the family – IN A BIG WAY! Have a look at the various news stories below that blanketed the entire State of Indiana. Photos, articles and videos may be found using these links:
Channel 13 Eyewitness News – Part I
Channel 13 Eyewitness News – Part II
Channel 6 News: The Indy Channel
Palladium Item – Part I
Palladium Item – Part II
Palladium Item – Part III
Palladium Item – Part IV
*Thank you again, Connersville – You’ve made an impression!
Tagged: police, police car, carbon motors, connersville, indiana, homeland security, e7, jobs, site, campus, pure justice tour, tour, cop, cops, cop car, cop cars, purpose built, law enforcement patrol vehicle, patrol, patrol vehicle
Comments
Dear Carbon Motors, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time and effort for coming to our city of Connersville. As a resident and former employee of the Visteon facility I have to say this was indeed the most excited I have seen our community in a long time. It was well worth the wait to see the car and fellowship with many in attendance. I certainly hope it will not be the last we see of you.
Ok, so they put on a good show like the circus. Whoopie doo. What exactly does Connersville have though in terms of being business friendly and having an automotive supplier base? What type of tax incentives if any are they offering? What type of transportation infrastructure do they have? Last time I checked, they don't even have an international airport or port nearby. The CEO of Carbon Motors has said they will be non-union. The company also needs an existing base of automotive suppliers and relatively cheap labor. That knocks Michigan and possibly Indiana out.
A- The union has very little presence past the northern 1/3 of the state. B- Seriously? What Automotive supplier base? You do realize Indiana has the second largest automotive supplier base in both outstanding receivables to the industry and employees, right? C- Tax Incentives? We were ranked #6 in 2008 for most favorable state to do business in with regards to overall wage levels, government support (read: tax benefits), and distribution systems. D- International ports.... I guess if you don't count Indy, which is considered large enough to be Fedex's second largest hub and about 40 minutes away by truck, and the port of Indiana, which is the second largest inland port in the country, then you might be right. Do some research before you open your mouth.
First I want to say to Mr Li, I read about you on your site and say I thank the Lord for you because through your mind you are going to change the police force of the entire world.They give their lives to all and their security has been sorely overlooked. This car is so needed among the police force. Thank you for considering Connersville. Look for what is most important to you and we maybe dont have everything but one thing we do have is the abilty to come together and pride in our work and committment we would give back to you.
I beg to differ Josh. Obviously Honda thinks that Indiana is business friendly. We have clean air, plentiful water, a low cost of living, and close proximity to 3 international airports, We're the most centralized location of the 6 and we have an airport across the street from the Visteon building that can accomodate large aircraft. This area does have an existing base of automotive suppliers. You would recognize that if you noticed that the automotive industry has been the economic backbone of our region for around 80 years. I support non union employers. And Carbon will not find a more competitive wage base than in Connersville. People drive 45 one way to work for $10/ hr. I would like to think that Carbon would reward hard working, dedicated employees. It was not a show that our community put on. The possibility of this company locating here has caused a months long buzz in our community. People are excited, encouraged, and eager to show how dedicated they will be to Carbon Motors if they choose Connersville. Our hospitality is genuine and sincere and win or lose, we appreciate the opportunity to show what we can offer. Thanks for coming Mr. Li, Mr. Stephens, et al!
Thank you to Mr. Li and all the Carbon Motor executives that visited Connersville. The town has been buzzing with excitement for weeks and will be keeping our fingers crossed that you decide to make the beautiful E7 vehicle in Indiana. The entire community is ready and willing to help you bring your vision to reality. The benefit to law enforcement members will be enormous when this tool is available for their use. Please consider Indiana be your future home and we guarantee that "Hoosier Hysteria" will mean more than basketball!
Even thought the Visteon building might be older than you want it can be very viable for you. The building is large enough for your manufactoring plus the extra space could be leased out to your suppliers or vendors. By leasing your overhead cost of the building will be non and void making a bigger profit for you. If you wanted to build another building the Visteon still could be used by your suppliers in manufacturing parts or storage. This would give you on the spot commodities if a upsurge of production is needed. Connersville have a large number of small manufacters that could meet your needs on a moments notice. As a past supervisor at Dresser Roots I know these manufacters can be a asset to Carbon Motors. Sometimes the best financial offer is not the one which may your company a success as you want it to be. Please give Connersville, Indiana considerable consideration when selecting your sight for yoy company. Whatever your selection may all the good blessing be with you.
Everything looks great, good idea,good product,etc Unfortuneately the current administration aint gonna let it happen with out the union, (UAW) and the governments involvement. Good Luck, Jim
Connersville is not home to an international airport, interstate, or ocean port. What if Carbon Motors if successful wants to ship their cars overseas? Does the Connersville area have a major university dedicated to the automotive industry? The state still has unions either way you slice it. There's a reason companies there are closing left and right. All these things you guys mention you have are found in Indianapolis not Connersville. The city doesn't even have a Red Lobster. Ok, let's say they choose Connersville because they feel sorry for them. What if nobody buys their police car? North Carolina was smart about this. The president of Carbon Motors has tried this venture twice before and both have failed. Do some research and you would know this. What type of financing does Carbon Motors have? What investor is going to fund a company like this during today's economy? Uhhh...
Sounds like Josh was turned down for a job by someone in the Carbon Motors family...sounds suspiciously like wounded pride there at the end of his comment.
Thank you Carbon Motors for letting the people of the Connersville and surrounding areas how much we want you here. This area has many things to offer a company such as yours. We have the airport across the road, we have I-70 within 10 minutes, rail that runs into the warehouse of the old Visteon plant, we have suppliers across the road and the best to offer as a workforce. This area is also a great place to raise a family, we may not have a Red Lobster, but we don't have much crime either. It's a win/win. Once again, thank you
Folks, these are the stories that dreams are made. Connersville is a great place with great people. When a company wants to find a place to run a business, then most cities can provide and supply a manufacturing base. However, if an organization wants to be a part of a warm and supportive community, Connersville is the place. It is my hope that when the executives weigh their decision to find a home, it is the choice to be an intrinsic part of a community. Connersville will welcome the organization with open arms as well as open dreams. Good Luck Connersville, I'm pulling for you! Jeff in San Antonio, Texas-jhancock1164@yahoo.com
I want to thank all of you who took the time to come and visit us in Connersville and Fayette County. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. Please consider Connersville as your future home. God bless all of you!
I think making a police car that has a wating list should be a great police car
I worked for Ford/Visteon for 13 years, 11 at the Connersville facility as an engineer both in production and facilities. The people of Connersville know how to make anything and take pride in it. The machine knowledge that has passed through that place would be a manufacturer's dream. Connersville deserves this and has the talent to produce.
All I can say is Wow! Reading these post, I have seen comments from people that have left Connersville( Jeff Hancock, Vincent Viars)and still care because they know the pride and dedication that was devoted to Ford/Visteon. "Little Detroit" is not a name that is given, but earned. Our history is just that, it is something great enough to be written down for others to read, something we (Connersville)earned. There is a picture I once saw (very old picture)of a few men standing in front of a rail car loaded with gascaps produced at Stant Manufacturing on its way to Detroit, I will never forget the look on the mens faces, it was a look of pride, satisfaction of A JOB WELL DONE. I see this same look when I talk to people that have worked in the factories that once was a part of this town and are now gone. Twelve hour shifts, weekends, holidays, whatever it takes, we have done it before and we will do it again for you. Connersville is small and "off the beaten path" but you will never find a more dedicated group of people to make your cars. Wherever you decide to call home, Connersville will always support you. Thats the American Spirit, that is Connersville!!!!!
Now I know that what I am about to say is un-authorized, and I cant even imagine the logistics behind this, but if palm trees on the state flag is what you want, we will try to do that.... We will even plant them up and down the sidewalks of Connersville if you want, whatever it takes to give you a car/and us the chance, we are all in 100%..
Connersville people never cease to amaze me and I have lived here all of my life. We really come together when we need to. When I began listing all of the positive things about our town, I found I could go on and on. Sometimes you don't expect that when all you see around you are loss of jobs. Our community really has what it takes. Proximity to airports, large cities, a huge, beautiful lake, and hard working people. We have a great hospital and other larger hospitals near us. A lovely golf course is here and several other courses not too far away. Gee, we even have a golf coach who has played in the Masters and and is known by many of the players both past and present. He was also inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame!! Carbon Motors, you'll really be missing out on a great opportunity to let us help you excel. We are ready willing and able. Prayers are in abundance for this project, so I'll go ahead and welcome you now. Prayer always works. VAW
Perfect timing for Indiana. The unveiling of the first new Indiana made Carbon Motors E7 during halftime of the 2012 Superbowl at Lucus Oil Stadium, Thats American!!!just a thought!!!
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